Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885 to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00686.10 Author/Creator: Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885 Place Written: Pine Bluff, Arkansas Type: Autograph letter signed Date: May 5, 1864 Pagination: 2 p. ; 19.4 x 11.8 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Gerrit, a transplanted Northerner fighting for the South, to his mother Mary. Begins by asking "Can the years that have passed since I saw you last - can the position that I have taken in this Civil War, have alienated me entirely from your love[?]" Says he has only heard from her once in 4 years and that only a short note on a letter she wrote to his brother Frank. Says those words have made him suffer more than the entire war. Asks to be forgiven for not being able to think as she did. Says he did what he thought was right.
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